Seventy-one businesses ran and completed United Way internal workplace campaigns this year. The United Way's campaign cabinet, which is divided into eight divisions and chaired by fourteen volunteers, worked effortlessly to help the United Way reach 97.7 percent of the campaign's goal, $417,000. The division chairs include: Jim Aylesworth, Professional Division; JoAnne Daniels and Sandy White, Business Division; Kari Knudson and Robin Myers, Healthcare Division; Missy Thomas, Agency Division; Kim Kusler, Bemidji Area Schools; Troy Haluptzok and Scott Kurtzweg, Commercial Division; Scott Turn, Major Gift Division; and, John Motta and Sheila Miller, Special Gifts Division.

United Way board president, Ken Howe joined Melissa and Chris Vacek, 2010 campaign co-chairs, and United Way Executive Director Ashli Bowen to honor and recognize the outstanding achievements that went into the 2010 campaign.

- Director's Gold Award to internal campaigns with a 70 percent or more employee participation rate and 9 percent increase in employee pledges over last year: Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji Area, FedEx, North Country Business Products, Northern Safety and Security, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Pinnacle Publishing, RP Broadcasting, Widseth Smith Nolting.

- Employee Participation Awards for more than $15,000 in employee gifts and fundraisers to Bemidji Area School District,, Beltrami Electric, First National Bank Bemidji, North Country Business Products, North Country Health Services; for more than $20,000 in employee gifts and fundraisers to Sanford Health.

- A new award, the Live United award, was presented to 24 area businesses and workplace campaigns that had a 25 percent increase in giving over last year, but didn't reach the Director's or President's award level. Six individuals also were honored with the Live United award for their generosity and creativity in raising support for United Way. The following received a Live United award: Ace on the Lake, American Family - John Carlson, Bemidji Theatre, Brad's Sanitation, CD Haugen Trucking Inc., Citizen's State Bank, Country Kitchen, Countryside Restaurant, Dairy Queen, Dunn Bros Coffee, Eldercare of Bemidji/Havenwood, Edward Jones - Jeremy Fayette, Hampton Inn & Suites, Harmony Food Cooperative, Heidi Boyd and "Pizza Man Dan," Itasca Naturopathic Clinic, Judy Comstock, Kenny's Clark & Goodyear, Kevin Cease, Liquor Lodge, Log Homes MN, Inc., Morrell's Chippewa Trading Post, Paul Bunyan Communications, Port-able John Rental & Service, Tom Hruby and Associates, Up North Sports, Wally Treat & Dave Johnson and Wes' Plumbing and Heating.

Johnny Lee Walker and Jean Baer were announced as the United Way Campaign Chairs for 2011. Walker is an advertising consultant and on-air radio personality with RP Broadcasting and has served on United Way's communications committee for more than 10 years. Baer is a regional compliance coordinator with Dominium Management Services and has served on United Way's communications committee for the past four years.

Contributions to the 2010 United Way's campaign will be accepted through Dec. 31. Those wishing to contribute can mail a contribution to United Way, PO Box 27, Bemidji, MN 56619 or visit www.liveunitedbemidji.org to give online. All contributions will be receipted for tax purposes.